Development of 1500-m pacing behaviour in elite youth short-track speed skaters: a longitudinal study

Introduction: The goal-directed distribution of velocity (i.e. pacing behaviour) over an exercise task has proven to be a decisive factor in athletic competition. In the development of pacing behaviour as a self-regulatory learning skill, adolescence is theorised to be an important phase (1, 2). Particularly in developing athletes, a solid understanding of pacing regulation is a key component in performance optimisation and safeguarding athlete wellbeing (1). Short-track speed skating features head-to-head races in a highly interactive environment in which skaters must balance an optimal velocity distribution with tactical decisions on drafting, overtaking and collision avoidance (2). The aim of the current research was to, for the first time, longitudinally study the development of pacing behaviour of elite youth athletes in short-track speed skating. Methods: Lap times were analysed of elite short-track speed skaters in the age range 16 to 19 years (n=473, 1184 observations), performing in one or more 1500-m races (13.5 laps) during Junior World Championships between 2010 and 2018. Race type was classified as fast or slow when the winner of a particular race was faster or slower than the average completion time of all race winners. Races were divided into four sections (laps 1-3, laps 4-7, laps 8-11 and laps 12-14). Multilevel prediction models in which the seasons (level-1) are nested within the skaters (level-2) were used to analyse the effect of race type, sex and age on relative section time (RST; i.e. the percentage of total race time spent in a specific section of the race). Analyses were carried out in MLwiN (p<.05). Results: The RST of laps 1-3 and laps 4-7 increased with age, whereas the RST of laps 8-11 and laps 12-14 decreased with age. The RST of laps 1-3 was higher in males compared to females. There was no difference in RST between sexes in laps 4-7. The RST of laps 8-11 and laps 12-14 were lower in males compared to females. The RST of laps 1-3 and laps 4-7 were lower in fast races, compared to slow races, and vice versa for laps 8-11 and laps 12-14. Conclusion: The pacing behaviour of youth short-track skaters develops throughout adolescence and skaters adopt a relatively slower start and faster finish, as previously theorised (2). Young male skaters exhibit a more conservative pacing behaviour compared to females. Additionally, fast races are more evenly paced compared to slow races, with slow races having a predominantly slow first half and fast finish. Coaches should take under consideration that the pacing behaviour of elite youth skaters develops during adolescences and differs between sexes. Furthermore, coaches are advised to prepare skaters for the differences in velocity distribution between race types.

References
1. Elferink-Gemser MT, Hettinga FJ. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2017; 12(6):831-835
2. Menting SGP, Konings MJ, Elferink-Gemser MT, Hettinga FJ. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2019;14(2):222–31.